I need help choosing tires, and figured there was enough collective experience here to point me in the right direction! I can't really afford to make a bad decision here!

Here's my situation. I live in North Florida, but I have a contract that will have me in southern Belize for up to 6 months a year for the next several years. With a lot of help from members and vendors here I have my plan for suspension mod.'s and accessories for my virgin '07 Sahara Unlimited.

Now I'm down to the tires decision. When at home I am 90% on the highway and the off road is limited to powder white beach sand and fire trail type dirt roads.

When in Belize I'll be 90% on rough, rock strewn, pot holed, so called "roads". Also a good amount of mud and some stream crossings.

I haven't found one "do it all" tire, so open to suggestions. Any one tire, or a set for here and one for there? Which tire for Florida, which for Belize? Looking for 34 to 35" tires on stock 18 inch wheels with spacers. I have some ideas but really want some input!

Davesrb

 

Well ATs certainly aren't going to cut it for what you have in store for them and the roads in Belize will certainly place some demands on your tires. Durability will also be key, and my preference would be for a heavier tire. The amount of highway miles while in the states suggests a tire with good road manners and without the tread drone. Sounds like a good candidate for the Toyo Open Country MTs. Sand is probably the weakest link, but way easier to deal with than the amount of other drive time your undertaking.

Hopefully they have come off backorder so you can actually get a set.

 

I have had alot of tires over theyears on various vehicles and decided to try out the Dunlop "Attitude" MT. they are 35-12.5- 17 and have had zero problems, not alot of road noise , softer compound than most, works great on everything I have tossed at them...

 

Goodyear Duratracs!!! search them on here, there have been a lot of threads discussing them

 

wait, I read that wrong. 90% "offroad". the Interco Trxxus m/t is an awesome tire, and would be suited for the type of terrain you're talking about. check them out. they are a heavy tire though, and some ppl have found they take a lot of weight to balance. but they certainly are a good tire. or have a look at the Interco SSR. basically the TSL with a bias ply carcass and radial tread. also a heavy tire, but I guess all Interco's are like that.

 

Just a thought for you, what could you get a hold of in Belize if you needed a new one? Maybe if it's something they sell both places that will answer ? for you.

 

There is not much of an available selection in Belize that you can depend on being in store. They can order in pretty much anything, but no telling what you would pay. Basically, I will need to decide on what I want to run, then take the 5 on the Jeep and at least one extra with me. I will be bringing supplies in via ship board containers out of New Orleans monthly, so I can always get replacements brought in if I'm willing to wait a little while. Also, 3 hours puts me in Southern Mexico, where most things American are available.

Davesrb

 

I saw the fierce attitude tires in person yesterday and they are a mean looking tire. Much better looking in person. I have found this true with most tires. I have the duratracs for my winter tires and ran them this summer and love them on the trail, just not super in the mud but they will get ya through.

 

Toyos

 

Myself, I wouldn't feel comfortable purchasing any tire from a manufacturer that doesn't have service description numbers for the tires they sell listed on their website. Apparently, neither do the dealers. This also round two with Goodyear using the Fierce moniker to address the testosterone driven youth crowd and bring new customers into their Kelley tire distributors. Nope, not for me and not being happy with my Goodyear MTRs with Kevlar, I really don't want anything to do with a tire that has more to do with a marketing scheme than employing any kind of new technology front.

My initial assertion still stands for a variety of reasons on the Toyos. Having been to Belize I understand the types of roads you will encounter and the limitations of the local market. A durable tire is going to be as important as anything and your daily commute is going to be reminiscent of a lower speed Baja 1000. Higher Service Descriptions is going to be the order of the day, something in the 120s, which will allow you to run lower pressures when the daily path is always an on road/off road venture. I don't think you need to look much further than the wide spread use of these tires in Desert Racing, including Baja and Dakur.

Then you have the portion of your time spent on paved roads in the states. There aren't many if any MT tires which display the same type of mild mannered attributes on paved roads. Low noise for an MT and excellent wet traction with factory molded siping.

Having recently switched to Goodyear MTRs w/Kevlar, I definitely miss my Toyos. Certainly some fine attributes of the Goodyears, but when I look at what your agenda is everything lines up with what the Toyos bring to the table.